Chills

Shivering is often a symptom of infectious diseases such as cold, flu and co. What helps against, learn here!

Chills

chills (Med.: Febris undularis) many people know as a harbinger of febrile diseases. The body temperature is turned up to ward off intruders such as bacteria or viruses. It sets in a feeling of cold, and the tremor shakes the affected person downright. But strong muscle tremors quickly raise your body temperature. The unpleasant chills are often a symptom of infectious diseases such as cold, flu and Co. What home remedies help against the dithering and what function the chills in the body met, we describe here.

Product Overview

chills

  • description

  • Causes and possible diseases

  • When do you have to go to the doctor?

  • What does the doctor?

  • You can do that yourself

Chills: Description

Chills

chills (Febris undularis) often occurs as an announcement of fever. Especially by bacterial infections, parasites, viruses or fungi, the body's defense is activated and so-called pyrogens are released. These fever-inducing pyrogens in the thermoregulatory center of the brain give the signal to increase the temperature. Fever - ie a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius - is the result.

To increase the temperature, the body uses a tried and tested remedy, which is also used for freezing or hypothermia to generate heat: the movement caused by muscle tremors. Chills are nothing more than the rapid contraction of large skeletal muscles such as the thigh, mastics or back. Since the lower jaw is rather loosely attached to the head, it comes to the familiar teeth chattering. Through the many small jerks of the muscles heat is generated and thus the body temperature is effectively and quickly driven upwards. In addition, these body areas are supplied with more blood, which also provides heat. The cold showers that typically accompany the chills are in the name of the supplement. Normally the chills can not be influenced at will. The dithering attacks occur at intervals, lasting several minutes before disappearing again. Since the muscle tremor in the already weakened state represents a great physical effort, it is often followed by a deep sleep.

Chills: causes and possible diseases

The most common cause of the chills are feverish diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Fever is also caused by tumors or autoimmune diseases, which can spill out pyrogens in isolated cases. To increase the body temperature by a few degrees, the organism sets aside the chills on a reduced skin circulation and an increased metabolism. For children, small infections are usually enough to raise the temperature. Thus, chills occur much more frequently in the small patients. It can also be an indication of the common teething troubles.

The list of diseases in which shivering appears as a symptom is long. The most common causes are:

  • Flu and cold: Most people have already experienced the typical symptoms of viral infections - feeling sick, headache and body aches, fever with chills.
  • Pneumonia (pneumonia): In addition to coughing and expectoration as well as pain in the chest, high fever with chills is a typical symptom of pneumonia.
  • Scarlet (Scarlatina): The first symptoms of this childhood disease are chills, fever followed by vomiting and a pharyngeal and tonsillitis. With antibiotics, the disease is milder.
  • Wundrose (erysipelas): The pathogen of scarlet fever can also cause inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue. Even before the typical, painful rash becomes visible, chills and high fever can occur.
  • Pyelonephritis:Blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting and high fever with chills are signs of cystitis.
  • Orchitis: It can be bacterial. In addition to severe pain and the increase in body temperature is a hallmark.
  • Blood poisoning (sepsis): If bacteria or fungi spread to the entire organism, there is danger to their lives. Signs include high fever and chills. Also, the heartbeat and the breathing fast in the air. Often there is already a general defense weakness, such as in elderly patients, infants or people with HIV.
  • Tetanus (tetanus): Initial flu-like symptoms are followed by significant muscle spasms. With vaccinations, tetanus is rarely found in Germany.

Chills can also be caused by circumstances that run completely without fever or push the pure temperature increase. Examples are:

  • Hypothermia: The muscle tremors and teeth chattering when freezing is used to generate heat in the body. In addition, vessels located at the periphery of the body narrow, so that the heat does not escape through the skin and vital organ functions are maintained.
  • Sunstroke: After long exposure to the unprotected head or neck, irritation of the meninges may occur. Drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, inner restlessness and chills are signs of heat stroke. Immediate cooling is important here!
  • Withdrawal symptoms: After the discontinuation of certain medications, drugs, nicotine or alcohol, physical and psychological symptoms can occur, which can also manifest as chills.
  • Mental illness: So-called hyperkinetic disorders such as ADHD can cause chills. Also anxiety disorders are among the mental illnesses that cause the muscle tremor.
  • Acute glaucoma: If there is a rapid increase in intraocular pressure, the doctor must be switched on immediately. Signs include sudden headache and loss of vision, noticeable hardening of the eyeball, nausea, vomiting and chills.
  • Mushroom poisoning: Nausea, vomiting, chills and muscle cramps can be signs of poisoning (not just toxic fungi).
  • Hyperthyroidism: Through the metabolic activating effect of the thyroid hormones muscle activity is increased - muscle tremors can be present here in addition to the symptoms of hyperfunction.

When traveling abroad - especially in tropical countries - there is a risk of becoming infected with the infectious diseases occurring there. If, after a vacation, you have a sudden, febrile illness, usually followed by chills and diarrhea, you should be vigilant and consult a doctor. In these tropical diseases, fever and chills are typical:

  • malaria
  • yellow fever
  • smallpox
  • anthrax
  • Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis)
  • typhus fever
  • typhus
  • Legionnaires' disease
  • pest

You are sick and want to know what you have? With the Symptom Checker you will be smarter in a few minutes.

Chills: When do you need to see a doctor?

Not every bout of chills you must go to the doctor immediately. In the case of a flu or cold, certain symptoms usually set in advance, such as a general malaise, headache and body aches and fatigue. This can also cause chills, which causes chillers over the back and leads to fever. Most of the chills during a cold or flu without further health consequences and you do not have to worry. With some home remedies, you can even get the muscle trembling even under control. Only the flu can be treated here.

However, you should consult a doctor if the chills are exceptionally vehement and strong or last a long time. If the strong muscle tremor appears to be without cause (for example, if there are no signs of infection), you should also consult a doctor. If you suffer from chills, fever, vomiting or diarrhea after a vacation trip, tropical infectious disease could be the reason. Again, be sure to see a doctor!

Diseases with this symptom

  • nephritis
  • lung infection
  • Q fever
  • yellow fever
  • blood poisoning
  • tonsillitis
  • bone inflammation
  • cold
  • typhus fever
  • typhus

Chills: What does the doctor do?

The personal conversation (anamnese) provides the physician with important information and information on the origin of the shake-freeze. With the help of a targeted questioning of the patient, the doctor tries to get to the bottom of it - the chills can have many different causes. Information about the last vacation, the enjoyment of incompatible food as well as the addictive behavior facilitate the search for clues, if the cause is not immediately obvious.

In the physical examination Sensing swollen lymph nodes and listening to the lungs can provide further important clues. Often it can be said, which triggers the chills.

Inflammation in the body can be achieved by a Blood test in the laboratory discover. In this way different microorganisms can be detected and the source of the infection narrowed down. Other imaging techniques, such as ultrasound or an X-ray from the rib cage, help substantiate the suspicion.

If it is an infectious disease, antibiotics can be used against the bacteria. Especially with the feverish diseases are antipyretic drugs effective, which also relieve the chills. Home remedies such as hot tea and warmth can further relieve muscle tremors.

If the chills start after a long sunny day as a result of a heat stroke, you must pay attention to good cooling.

Chills: They can do that themselves.

There are some tips to help with chills. The most important are:

  • Warm pack: With warm blankets, a foot bath or a warm bath, the strong muscle tremors can be stopped. Due to the heat supplied from the outside, the body itself has to work less to increase the temperature. Fever can be reduced with calf wrapping again.
  • Hot tea: Linden flower tea is very suitable for a fever, because it has warming and sweaty effect. Elderberry tea or rosehip peels also help the body with heat production.
  • Drink a lot: With fever and feverish chills is always: Have a drink! The rule of thumb: Drink half a liter of fluid per increased body temperature more.

On the other hand, if the chills are due to heat stroke or sunstroke, cooling is strongly recommended:

  • Shadow Place: Be sure to bring the patient to a cool, shady spot and avoid further exposure to the sun. The best is a sitting position, so that the head and upper body are highly stored.
  • Cool head: Cold, damp compresses from towels or cool yogurt rolls on the forehead, the head or neck lower the temperature.
  • For a sunstroke also applies: Absolutely without hesitation, call a doctor!
Parents should always look after their children for sufficient headgear when playing in the sun. The fontanelles can cause irritation of the meninges particularly quickly. Equally endangered for a sunstroke and concomitant chills are sparse hairy people or persons with a bald head.

Chills

FAQ - 💬

❓ What are chills the symptom of?

👉 They are most often associated with a fever. Chills are caused by rapid muscle contraction and relaxation. They are the body's way of producing heat when it feels cold. Chills often predict the coming of a fever or an increase in the body's core temperature.

❓ Why do I have chills with no fever?

👉 The most common reason for a person to have chills with no fever is because of cold weather. If a person is not wearing sufficient layers and the air temperature is low, they may experience chills. If a person is wearing wet clothes, they will feel cold more quickly.

❓ What illnesses have chills?

👉 Chills are a common symptom of infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTI), and malaria. Besides chills, an infection can also cause symptoms like: Fever. Coughing.

❓ What do the chills feel like?

👉 The term “chills” refers to a feeling of being cold without an apparent cause. You get this feeling when your muscles repeatedly expand and contract and the vessels in your skin constrict. Chills can occur with a fever and cause shivering or shaking. Your body chills can be constant.

👉 The term “chills” refers to a feeling of being cold without an apparent cause. You get this feeling when your muscles repeatedly expand and contract and the vessels in your skin constrict. Chills can occur with a fever and cause shivering or shaking. Your body chills can be constant. Each episode can last for as long as an hour.

👉 Treatment. Chills are a symptom, not a disease, so treating chills largely depends on what is causing them. If chills occur due to a mild infection, home treatment with bed rest, plenty of fluids, and OTC pain relievers can provide relief. If chills are bothersome, it is best to wear layers and keep warm.

👉 A mild fever is 101.4°F (38.6°C) or less. Cover yourself with a light sheet and avoid heavy blankets or clothing, which can raise your body temperature. Sponging your body with lukewarm water or taking a cool shower may help reduce a fever. Cold water, however, may trigger an episode of chills.

👉 Once in a while, the infection starts in a joint. Certain types of cancer, namely leukemia and lymphoma, can also cause chills, but they feel different than the chills you might get from a passing infection like a cold. “Typically for an infection, you have one or two major chills, then a fever, and you feel really bad,” says Dr. Middleton.


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